Method and means for unremovably securing stamp transfers and the like



g- 1939 F. w. HUMPHNER 2,168,989

METHOD AND MEANS FOR UNREMOVABLY SECURING STAMP TRANSFERS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 21, 1938 I A t?!" Patented Aug. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND'MEANS FOB UNREMOVABLY SECURING STAMP LIKE TRANSFERS AND THE Application February 21, 1938, Serial No. 191,778

9 Claims.

This invention relates to means and method for preventing reuse of stamps and the like in the nature of transfers, etc.

An object of the invention is to provide simple means whereby stamps or transfers cannot be reused after they have been applied to a surface. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, which shows a broken or detailed view in elevation of a decalcomania product illustrating the invention.

In the illustration given, the paper is shown provided with a starch layer, a soluble dextrin layer, a layer of glue or gelatin, and a transfer film formed upon the glue or gelatin.

The paper may be of any suitable decalcomania paper stock.

In preparing the product, a waterleaf paper is preferably covered with a starch coat, which is then calendered smooth. If desired, a soluble dextrin coating may also be added. Over the starch and dextrin coatings is applied a thin coating of animal glue, gelatin, or a derivative of the same. I may also screen a selected design of a preferred size or shape of animal glue or gelatin upon the starch and/or dextrin coating.

The glue or gelatin coating may consist of any high test glue or gelatin either of bone or hide extraction of approximately grams to 300 or higher grams Gel. test, although I have used much lower testing material successfully. The glue or gelatin coating is applied either hot or cold. In the case of the latter, I may employ several commercial products which are available or prepare the same by dissolving urea into the glue to cause it to remain liquid until water has been eliminated by evaporation.

The transfer film and prints are formed-in the usual way and will not be described in detail. The transfer film may consist of a lacquer body having perforations therein or it may be formed by successive prints of ink, the final print being placed upon the top layer.

After the product has been formed, as described above, I apply it by adding formalin or other tanning reagents to water and then wetting theentire decalcomania with the solution. The transfer, upon the wetting of the paper, is released and applied to the surface, the glue forming the main adhesive by which it is attached. The action of the formalin or other tanning reagent, however, tends to insolubilize the glue and gelatin and to make it resistant to the reapplication of water. The action of waterproofing is progressive, and I have found by test of samples that transfers made as described will withstand continuous soaking for 150 to 200 hours and after that the film would distort and the printed matter be so disfigured that reuse was impossible. By the foregoing procedure, it will be impossible to remove stamps, as has heretofore been the practice. In the prior practice, it has been customary to submerge the transfer with the surface to which it is attached in water and after a short while the transfer floats loose. It may then be attached to another surface by the same adhesive. With my new transfer and method of applying the same, the insolubilized gelatin or glue adhesive resists the application of water and the transfer does not float loose until the lapse of an extremely long time during which the film is so distorted and the printed matter so disfigured that the transfer cannot be reused.

The quantity of formalin or other tanning reagent added to the water will vary with the particular needs of the transfer with respect to the extent of insolubilizing required. I have found very satisfactory results by adding from 1% to 5% of formalin to the water. It will be understood, however, that the quantity can be varied within relatively wide limits.

By having the gelatin in spots or in various configurations or designs, the transfer films tend to break up when it is attempted to soak and reuse them.

The foregoing has been given by way of illustration and it will be understood that details therein may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is obvious that the invention is applicable not only to transfers but to other types of labels, stamps, etc. The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A method for preventing the reuse of stamp transfers and the like, comprising providing the same with an adhesive for applying the same to a surface, said adhesive including an insolubilizable material, and wetting said adhesive for applying said transfer to a surface with a reagent which tends to progressively insolubilize said adhesive.

2. A method for preventing the reuse of stamp transfers and the like, comprising providing the same with an insolubilizable adhesive, and wetting said adhesive for applying the same to a surface with a solution tending to progressively insolubilize said adhesive.

3. A method for preventing the reuse of stamp transfers and the like, comprising providing the same with an insolubilizable adhesive, said adhesive being applied in spots, and wetting said adhesive to apply the same to a surface with a solution tending to progressively insolubilize said adhesive.

4. A method for preventing the reuse of stamp transfers and the like, comprising providing the same with an animal glue securing said transfer to a base, wetting said glue with a solution containing a reagent tending to progressively insolubilize said glue, said glue being released from the base by said wetting operation, and applying said transfer to a surface to form a permanent bond.

5. A method for preventing the reuse of stamp transfers and the like, comprising providing the same with a gelatin adhesive, and wetting said adhesive to apply the same to a surface with a solution containing an ingredient tending to insoiubilize said gelatin.

6. A method for preventing the reuse of stamp transfers and the like, comprising providing the same with an insolubilizable animal glue or gelatin adapted to secure said transfer to a base, and wetting the same with a solution of water and formalin to release said glue from said base, and applying the transfer to a surface.

7. A method for preventing the reuse of stamp transfers and the like, comprising providing the same with an adhesive tending to be insolubilized by formalin, and wetting said adhesive for applying the same to a surface with a water solution containing one per cent or more of formalin.

8. A method for preventing the reuse of stamp transfers and the like, comprising providing the same with an adhesive tending to become progressively waterproof upon contact with a tanning reagent, and wetting said adhesive for applying the same to a surface with a solution containing said tanning reagent.

9. A method for preventing the reuse of stamp transfers and the like, comprising providing the same with an insolubilizable adhesive securing said transfer to said base, wetting said adhesive with a solution tending to progressively insolubilize said adhesive, removing said transfer and wetted adhesive from said base, and applying the same to another surface.

FERDINAND W. HUMPHNER. 

